Thailand Has Zebra Gods?

Buddhism and Animism have been all blended together in Thailand and at the top of a hill next to the highway I flew by this zebra shrine at 105 kph. I asked myself for the next few seconds – “Did I just see that?”.

I turned around and found the biggest zebra shrine I’ve ever seen in Thailand before. In fact, I don’t think I remember seeing one before.

I asked the people praying at the zebra shrine altar what it was all about – and the guy told me – luck, which is just about all I caught from him. He spoke Thai fast and it was southern Thai – so, I’m always lost there. It sounds like – aaaaaeeeoooowwwweeeeeyyyyyaaaaaa and I get lost in the first sentence trying to figure out what in the world he could be saying.

I did hear – prayers and luck. Apparently he brought a zebra up there and lit some incense and was expecting some good luck for it.

When was the last time you saw someone pray to zebras for luck?

Right, me neither…

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge.

Author: Vern

I'm an American expat living in Thailand. I like to write informative pieces about life in, living in Thailand, including topics like: Thai People, Thai Culture, Nightlife, Technology, and I have published a lot of photographs, videos, and even books on Thailand that you can find at ThailandeBooks.com. There are many photographs of Thailand here - feel free to share with attribution (a link back to the home page).
All written content on this site by Vern Lovic. Contact me at Google+.
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